By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
For the Philadelphia Phillies (11-6), topping their 14-run scoring outburst would be difficult, especially just hours later in Wednesday's matinee series finale rubber match against the New York Mets (10-8).
Yet, as they have done now for the 11th time this season, the Phillies found a way to win, this time 3-2 to improve their season series record to 4-1-1.
Veteran right-hander Jake Arrieta, coming off of his second win — the 100th of his career — carried momentum into his Wednesday start, tossing eight-plus strong innings, allowing just two runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out three batters spanning 105 pitches and 68 strikes. Arrieta's only run allowed, while in the game, was a solo home run in the seventh inning to outfielder Michael Conforto — his second of the series, fifth of the season, and the 16th of his career (out of 81 total) against the Phillies.
Arrieta began the ninth, but was pulled after allowing an infield single to his first batter, Pete Alonso. Southpaw Adam Morgan entered, and would hit Robinson Cano. Morgan retired Conforto via a fly out, putting runners on the corners with just one out. Then, right-hander Hector Neris struck out J.D. Davis, before allowing an Amed Rosario RBI infield single to bring the Mets within one run. Neris then hit former Phillies catcher Wilson Ramos to load the bases, but would strike out Keon Broxton, with the bases loaded and a 3-2 count, for the final out and his second save of 2019.
The Phillies' three runs came via a sacrifice fly RBI to center by third baseman Maikel Franco in the second inning — his team-leading 18th RBI — as well as a solo home runs by shortstop Scott Kingery in the fifth— filling in for Jean Segura (mild left hamstring strain) — and second baseman Cesar Hernandez in the sixth.
Mets starter RHP Zack Wheeler tossed seven innings and allowed just three runs on five hits, three walks and five strikeouts, good for a quality start. Wheeler fell to 1-2, while Arrieta improved to 3-1. Morgan was credited with his fifth save.
Arrieta's lengthy outing was key for a tired Phillies bullpen, which over its last five games entering Wednesday's contest, had 15 total relievers used spanning 25 combined innings. The bullpen had thrown 19 innings over its last three games along entering Wednesday. The Phillies have now played six straight games without an off day, and will play 11 more in as many days until their next scheduled off day, Monday, April 29.
Game Notes:
- The Phillies won, despite being outhit 7-5; they went 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position (Arrieta 0-1, Realmuto 1-1, Herrera 0-1), and left five runners on base. The club turned three double plays in the field.
- Arrieta induced 11 swinging strikes, 16 called strikes, 17 foul balls, and 18 first-pitch strikes to his 29 batters faced. He has tossed at least six innings in all of his four starts this season, allowing no more than six hits and three runs. His ERA is down to 2.25.
- Center fielder Odubel Herrera was pulled in the top of the fifth, after he injured his right leg while chasing after a Rosario line drive. Aaron Altherr finished the game as Herrera's replacement.
- Prior to the game, the Phillies transferred RHP Tommy Hunter (right arm flexor strain) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day. This created a 40-man roster spot for infielder Phil Gosselin, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to temporarily fill in for the injured Segura.
- Gosselin replaced RHP Nick Pivetta on the 25-man roster, who on Wednesday was sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after posting a 8.35 ERA, 2.13 WHIP, and 16-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio spanning four starts and 18 1/3 innings this season. Right-hander Jerad Eickhoff, who earned the save in Tuesday's 14-3 win, will replace Pivetta in the rotation.
What's Next:
The Phillies will head west for a four-game road series against the Colorado Rockies, followed by a three-game road series against the Mets. The Phillies will then return home April 25 through May 5 for a nine-game homestand against the Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers and Washington Nationals.
- Thursday, April 18, 2019: at Colorado Rockies, 8:40 p.m.
- Coors Field, Denver, Co.
- RHP Zach Eflin (2-1, 3.94 ERA) vs. LHP Kyle Freeland (1-3, 5.40 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP+; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
